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It had to do with the timbre of your voicehow you talked to other guys on the radio, says Romero, who arrived in Vietnam in 1970, initially as a Huey co-pilot. Pilot sold separately. The 'Loach' was one of the riskiest helicopter assignments in Vietnam Radiomen in the Vietnam War faced a 5-second life expectancy 5 cringeworthy military slang terms (that we should actually retire) From nursing to newspapers, these were the women of Vietnam What was a loach helicopter? - Quora However, the choppers frame ensured the crewmen within remained safe. [19][20][21], In December 1967, the first OH-6As arrived in Vietnam. Armament When the training was completed, C-141 Starlifter airlifters transported both rotorcraft and crews to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for two weeks of mission training. In some areas, Purple Teamsone Loach and two Cobraswere also common, as were other variations.) Reportedly, 964 out of the 1,422 OH-6As produced for the US Army were destroyed in the Vietnam theatre, the majority of these losses being a result of hostile action, typically ground fire. They could also use grenades and on occasion even homebuilt explosives; more aggressive units mounted forward-firing miniguns. The Mil Mi-1 was a Soviet-made light utility chopper with three or four seats. The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine transport and search helicopter. . In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder! About Us | The 1-245 modified infantry night vision goggles and worked to develop the necessary skills for rapid deployment with Little Birds and C-130s.[31]. Military operators included the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and the Japanese Coast Guard. Total flight hours at this point: 00000265 Under enemy fire this nimble machine had to fly low to the ground, just above the jungle canopy. Hughes Model OH-6A "Cayuse" or "LOACH". The Army officially adopted the Bell OH-58 Kiowa in 1969. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. Since 1968 this helicopter saw combat in Vietnam. ", FAI Record ID #11656 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance over a closed circuit without landing, FAI Record ID #11655 Absolute Rotorcraft World Record, Distance without landing, Obituary: Robert G. Ferry; Air Force veteran was record-setting test pilot, "In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close", "Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, MD Helicopters (Hughes) Model 500 (Military Versions)", "Dominican Republic Air Force Unit History", "Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force OH-6J", "Breda Nardi Hughes NH.500M in Armed Forces of Malta service", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hughes_OH-6_Cayuse&oldid=1133333304, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 07:46. Late in the war, the HH-43 was also deployed for short overland search and rescue missions. The high-low hunter-killer combination gave way to uniform-altitude missions, with all helicopters flying nap of the earth. 2 M260 2.75-in Hydra 70 rocket pods (7 or 12 each) Shop | Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. The Cobras high above had a few seconds of warningthey could spot the missiles exhaust plumebut were all the more tempting because at their higher altitudes they were more easily seen than the smaller Loaches. Terms and Conditions, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC) [22] All American rotorcraft in the theatre had to be operated more cautiously following this development. An author of aviation books, his latest is Howards Whirlybirds. The OH-6 Cayuse was developed from specifications issued by the U.S. Army in 1960 for a light observation helicopter (LOH), and the familiar Loach nickname was derived from the acronym. There was one day of initial training, says Bob Moses, who was first trained as a tank crewman and then as infantry before a sudden transition to helicopter door gunner. In one particular clandestine incident in 1972, known as the Vinh wiretap, a pair of OH-6As were heavily modified and used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) via Air America was used to infiltrate Vietnamese high level communications, providing valuable intelligence. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Hughes Tool Company Aircraft Division submitted their Model 369 to fill a US Army requirement for a Light Observation Helicopter capable of performing a number of secondary duties including escort, attack and casualty evacuation duties. The Huey descended gingerly into a clearing smaller than its main rotor diameter, the aircrafts rotor blades chopping tree limbs as it descended. (He later transferred to the Air Force and flew F-4 Phantoms, and eventually became an airline captain.) Your email address will not be published. The Korean War proved the necessity for such rotorcraft, particularly in regard to search and rescue operations. Find Us on Facebook, Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (SSAC). In order to reduce their acoustic signature, the helicopters (N351X and N352X) received a four-blade 'scissors' style tail rotor (later incorporated into the Hughes-designed AH-64 Apache), a fifth rotor blade and reshaped rotor tips, a modified exhaust system, and various other performance boosting modifications. They were famous for being shot down or crashing in combat. The shelf life of a scout pilot was probably six months. Although most combat aircraft in Vietnam aimed for altitudes and speeds that helped them avoid anti-aircraft weapons, U.S. Army crews flying Hughes OH-6A Cayuse helicopters flew low and drew fireto set up the shots for the Bell AH-1G Cobras circling above. The Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly designed to be used on ships that werent large enough to carry a full-sized helicopter. Served in Vietnam War during 1968 and 1970-1972 The United States deployed all types of helicopter, ranging from massive troop transport choppers, to smaller multipurpose and attack helicopters, and even helicopter drones. Hughes Tool Company, Aircraft Division - USA, (View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers), Dominican Republic; Denmark; Japan; Spain; Taiwan; United States, (OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout, X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator), (Showcased structural values pertain to the base Hughes OH-6 Cayuse (Loach) production variant), RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030, (Showcased performance specifications pertain to the. The Loach helicopter was pitted against what was then known as the Bell Model 206. OH-6A Cayuse ('Loach') The OH-6A "Cayuse" is a small tactical helicopter flown by units of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment [SOAR]. I had another lead that went through 150 feet of trees, and they survived., Shafer himself had brushes with disaster, and his luck nearly ran out on a mission west of Dak To, near the border with Laos. Accordingly, the U.S. Army's fixed-wing airplane, the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, which was utilized for artillery observation and reconnaissance flights, would be replaced by the incoming OH-6A. Fortunate son intensifies : r/memes - reddit OH-6 Loach - Light Observation Helicopter - Brickmania Toys Following the lead, we got peppered with rounds. The Loach had a bad vibration, but he made it about half a mile before he had to land. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 66-07841 The OH-6 helicopters served in huge numbers and were used for light observation and utility roles. The back plate was often not used owing to the weight, and even the chest plate was deleted. The OH-6 was developed in response to the United States Army issuing Technical Specification 153 in 1960 to replace its Bell H-13 Sioux fleet. The OH-6A Cayuse fulfilled this role and became known as the Little Bird. The pilots tasked with operating the choppers were selected from the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion. It was pretty hairy, and we got the hell out of there. But Boucher got a rush from the missions, and stayed six months beyond what was required of a draftee. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. During May 1965, the U.S. Army awarded the production contract to Hughes. To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Kane was dispatched to the crash site in another Cobra with copilot Jim Casher. It had a distinct teardrop-shaped fuselage, which made it instantly recognizable, and a cockpit for two crew members, along with two removable seats in the passenger cabin. Home | Initially fielded in Vietnam in early 1968, the Hughes OH-6A was used for command and control, observation, target acquisition, and reconnaissance. It was barely used in the Vietnam War because it was replaced by the more advanced Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw. Most of our engagements [we] were 25 to 50 feet [away] when we opened up on [the Viet Cong], Mills continues. I could see a cigarette butt still burning. They chose the OH-6A scout helicopter to fill that role, and it became known as the Little Bird compared to the other aircraft in the task force, the MH-60 and the MH-47. It would often be crewed by a pilot and an observer; up to five passengers or up to 1,000lb of cargo could be carried internally. (7.62MM) The pilots dubbed the new helicopter Loach, a word created by pronunciation of the acronym of the program that spawned the aircraft, LOH (light observation helicopter). 10 Types of Helicopters in Vietnam (Vietnam Era Helicopters) - Aero Corner [10][self-published source][11], Due to price escalations for both the OH-6 and spare components, the U.S. Army opted to reopen bids for the programme in 1967. I spent more time with them.. [2] The pilot was provisioned with excellent external visibility via its large plexiglass windscreen, while its four-bladed fully-articulated main rotor meant it was considerably more agile than the preceding H-13 Sioux. Primarily, it was used by the Marine Corp to transport personnel and cargo. The OH-6A could be armed with the M27 armament subsystem, the port (left) side mounting M134 six-barrel 7.62mm minigun or a 40mm grenade launcher on the XM8 armament subsystem. The AH/MH Little Birds were lifted by a single C-5 Galaxy, and two C-130 Hercules, along with all support kits for the battalion. Front left side view of the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse helicopter; color, Right side view of the Hughes OH-6 Loach in flight; color. By the end of the war, the Loachs replacement was imminent. The Bell UH-1B/C was modified from the UH-1A Cobra to include a set of machine guns for attacking ground targets. The U.S. Army began to use Bell OH-13 Sioux and Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopters, once artillery spotters, to scout ahead of UH-1D Huey formations in the moments before air assaults to gather information about landing zones and enemy locations. Helicopter took 1 hits from: Flight Hours in Vietnam: 1,400. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods. The aircraft, dubbed 500P (penetrator) by Hughes, began as an ARPA project, codenamed "Mainstreet", in 1968. Loach crews regularly walked away from crashes that would doom others. During 1960, the United States Army issued Technical Specification 153 for a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) capable of fulfilling various roles on the battlefield, including personnel transport, escort, casualty evacuation, observation, and attack missions. This. The Cayuse was Hughes' longest-running helicopter program and, during the Vietnam War, as many as 100 OH-6As were built a month. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close Cobras and Loaches, two vastly different aircraft, relied on each other to fight the enemy. Due to its unique shape, the Loach was given the nickname . ). Following the Second World War, significant advancements were made in the field of rotary-wing flight. In terms of its basic configuration, the Model 369 had an atypical teardrop-shaped fuselage, a feature that led to personnel sometimes referring to it as the "flying egg". Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16304 Cobras rolled in and blew the downed aircraft uptaking with it about 15 bad guys standing around it.. Select the first letter of the last name of the person you want to find: Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. This eventually gave way to the loach nickname, and was intended to provide the US military with a light-class, rotary-wing craft that could fulfill a number of purposes: search and rescue, close air support, MEDEVAC, observation, transport, reconnaissance and attack roles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. [23][22] Such a team would have normally comprised a single OH-6 that would fly relatively slow and at a low altitude while attempting to spot the presence of enemies. [8][9], A total of 387 OH-6/Hughes 369s were produced under license in Japan by the Japanese aerospace company Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The four-passenger teardrop shaped "Flying egg" (six-passenger with rear seats folded-down) was a small, light, sturdy, maneuverable helicopter, with very low drag. On March 3, 2023, at a White House ceremony, retired Army Colonel Paris Davis received the Medal of Honor. In 1972, as U.S. troops slowly withdrew, the NVA began a major push that became known as the Easter Offensive. But the Army decided that it would be more prudent to keep the unit in order to be prepared for future contingencies. Pilots called this helicopter as the Loach. As well, its tough frame made it safer than other helicopters during crashes, as its aluminum skin absorbed the energy and the structure protected the crew. and Images on this page are gathered from various sources. Army units this aircraft deployed with in Vietnam: Troop B, 1st squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division: Aug '68 - Oct '70. Can a Helicopter Fly to the Top of Mount Everest. Lt. Col. The OH-6A was powered by a single Allison T63-A-5A 285 shp turboshaft engine, and had a cruising speed of 144 mph (125 knots). contact us here and we will remove the To this day I am closer to those guys I flew with in Vietnam than my own brothers, says Mills. Vietnam Helicopters Museum - OH-6A "Cayuse" Helicopter s/n 67-16304 Built by Hughes Tool Company, it was designed to be a scout helicopter during the Vietnam war. The unrefueled range of the AH-6 is 250 nautical miles. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Typically missions were flown during the daylight, starting at dawn; common roles included the clearance of landing zones and general intelligence/observation flights. Despite having been designed for anti-submarine combat, the Gyrodyne QH-50 was mostly used for conducting reconnaissance of enemy vessels in the Vietnam war, instead of actual combat. If you would like Helicopter took 2 hits from: It was reasonably fast, very crashworthy, comparatively easy to maintain and fly, and extraordinarily maneuverable. 2 TOW missile pods (2 each) Cobra Gunship, Huey and Loach OH-6 Members of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry dedicated an OH-6 Loach Scout helicopter flown by their unit during the Vietnam War Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia He shares memories of his service and reflects on what the war meant to. Tough Mission LOACH Chopper Vietnam - YouTube [5] Accordingly, the bidding for the LOH contract came down to Fairchild-Hiller and Hughes. Over time, the effectiveness of this pairing was such that enemies would often decide against firing on the relatively vulnerable OH-1 in fear of the response that would be unleased by the AH-1. Here are the 24 helicopters used in Vietnam. Vietnam War helicopter pilots bring stories and aircraft to Topeka Cobras generally attacked with rockets, preferred for long-range accuracy, switching to the less-accurate chin-mounted machine gun and grenade launcher only if they were far enough away from friendly troops or if the rocketsAH-1s could carry as many as 76 rocketsran out. This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon It never flew again. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. Privacy Statement The helicopter was inducted as the OH-6 "Cayuse" and would eventually take on the in-the-field nickname of "Loach" in reference to its "LOH" origins. Total flight hours at this point: 00000496 It served in Granada and Panama during the 1980s, as well as in the . Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795. In photo #2 you can see the nice graphics. OA-6A 'Loach' Scout platoon. Reportedly, Hughes had consulted at the last moment with Real, who recommended a bid of $53,550. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. Click on the hotlinks for more information. The enemy was moving toward us when a [command and control] ship picked us up. How a Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Captured a POW With His Civil War But the Hueys proved too slow to do the job properly, and the need to replace both scouts and protectors was immediately evident. Other Army pilots, most of whom flew Cobras or Hueys, thought of Loach pilots as a little offbeat. The hunter-killer tactic worked well for a few years, but by the time the United States left Vietnam, it was obsolete, says Mills. In Vietnam, These Helicopter Scouts Saw Combat Up Close The Seasprite was an anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter that had over-the-horizon targeting facilities. EH-6B, a previous version of the Little Bird, was used for command, control and radio relay. Improved versions were issued through the war and included pockets on the chest and back in which large additional plates could be inserted. Jim was unconscious when I helped pull him out of the burning aircraft.. Vietnam War Era Hughes OH-6 Loach Helicopter 60,632 views Mar 30, 2013 327 Dislike Share Save Steve1958OR 221 subscribers A friend came by with his restored US Army Loach OH-6 helicopter. The Army dictated that after 300 hours of flight time, each Loach go through a thorough inspection, but in practice such inspections were rare: Few Loaches survived to reach that mark. [2] Originally designated as the YHO-6A according to the Army's designation system, the aircraft was redesignated as the YOH-6A in 1962 when the Department of Defense created a joint designation system for all aircraft. 608th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support): Mar 72 The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. [22], It became common for OH-6s to operate in teams with other rotorcraft, particularly the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. [3], On 27 February 1963, the first Model 369 prototype performed its maiden flight. Even trampled grass was a clue; it meant that enemy troops had passed through the area within eight hours, the time it took for grass to dry upright. Within that same year, help was on the way. These helicopters were mostly used for observation, reconnaissance, utility, and for providing combat support. The 1-245th AVN BN enlisted were sent to the Mississippi Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Gulfport, Mississippi, for two weeks of qualification training in the aircraft. Loach and Cobra crews lived together, and schedulers generally paired the teams with the partners they requested, though given the high turnover rate, that wasnt always possible. Can include a combination of the following across two fuselage wingstubs (though some weapons operated from cabin doors): (Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above), Hardpoint Mountings: 2 (if wingstub equipped). AH/MH-6J: US Army Special Operations variant derived from the MD-530MG. They were employed in hunter-killer tactics, wherein they flew low over the jungle as bait to draw enemy fire. Since units were all but permanently assigned to particular areas, they came to know the local geography intimately and could spot anything out of the ordinary. During the Vietnam war, the HH-43 Huskie was used for more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined. Date: 02/08/1969 Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By https://warandlifediscussions.weebly.com/Any veteran who served in any combat zone in any capacity is invited to contact Preston Jones: pjones@jbu.edu / (479) 524-7488 Contact | [24][25] As to indicate the position of concealed enemy ground forces, the observer in the OH-6 would mark the spot using a smoke grenade, assisting other units in effectively firing upon them. It was used for transporting personnel, escorting other aircraft and naval vessels, attacking enemy units, and acting as an observation post. US Army Loach OH-6 Helicopter Vietnam War Era Steve1958OR 242 subscribers 14K views 9 years ago A friend came by today with his Vietnam war era Hughs OH-6 Loach helicopter. While in Vietnam, Loach helicopters operated as part of air mobile teams. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 45-4703737We Fly for Our Veterans!. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. The Light Observation Helicopter ( LOH) program was a United States Army program to evaluate, develop and field a light scout helicopter to replace the Army's aging Bell OH-13 Sioux. The Loach's main role was reconnaisance and observation. Fewer than 2,000 of the type were produced though the original went on to spawn a plethora of viable performers including the Hughes 500 "Defender" and the special forces-minded MH-6 "Little Bird". The Model 369, with its Allison T63-A-5A series turboshaft engine, took its first flight on February 27, 1963, under the military designation YOH-6A. A rescue operation for the crew of a downed Loach helicopter doesn't quite go as planned and the rescuers become victims themselves. These would be used to replace its fleet of Bell H-13 Sioux, a compact first generation rotorcraft. OH-6A Cayuse / AH-6J Little Bird - Military Aircraft OH-6A/Cayuse: Developed initially by the Hughes Aircraft company (later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) in the mid-1960s for the US Army. The OH-6A would find targets by flying low, trolling for fire, and lead in a Cobra, or Snake, to attack. While Hiller did not participate in the rebidding, Bell opted to, submitting their redesigned Model 206. Hughes OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter - MILITARY TODAY Another such gunner was 19-year-old Joel Boucher, drafted and sent to Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. The Cobra was fast and deadly. In air mobile teams, a pilot would fly low while an observer would scan the ground for signs of the enemy force. Today, the Little Birds in use by special operations are MH-6Ms derived from a similar but more powerful helicopter. Army headquarters developed doctrine by building on what worked in the field, rather than the other way around, and each unit in-country did things slightly differently. As a separate part of the project, armed OH-6As were being developed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. By Richard Toops. The first Loach arrived in Vietnam in 1966, and a total of 1,434 of the primary . His three tours to Vietnam included death-defying scouting missions piloting his Hughes OH-6 light observation helicopter (or Loach) as well as gunship runs inside his AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.. Cozzalio was also involved in nine aircraft mishaps; he was shot down six times and suffered three hard landings. Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War - VHPA President As we navigate rapidly evolving military culture and Like any deployed troops, Russian soldiers make calls Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! Unit: 173 ABN External load capacity was approximately 1,200 Lbs (550 kg), and transport capability 2 or 3 troops or cargo internally. As of 2021, these records still stand. Army troops called the OH-6As Loaches, a contraction of light observation helicopters. The ship was unusually light and had plenty of power, perfect for flying nap-of-the-earth missions, and its 26-foot-diameter main rotor made getting into tight landing zones a snap. It was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant during the war. Las mejores ofertas para Cartas de Lee: La historia de un hombre de Vietnam por Larayne M. Topp (ingls) Paperb estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! The Loach-derived MD-500 and other civilian variants still roll off the assembly lines at MD Helicopters, Inc., while Boeing produces an upgraded variant, the AH-6 Little Bird, for military forces (including an autonomous drone version). Donald Porter September 2017 Pilot Clyde. Historical Snapshot: OH-6 Cayuse/Hughes 500 Helicopter Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the Loach helicopter, as it was better known, fast became the primary chopper flown in Vietnam. It later turned out that Howard Hughes purposely undervalued his estimate and deceptively won out against Fairchild-Hiller - his reasoning being that a long-term US Army commitment to his helicopter would, over time, make the deal profitable at some point. The light observation helicopter OH-6 Cayuse, or Loach (based on the LOH acronym), was a Vietnam-era helicopter designed with speed and maneuverability in mind. Cookie Settings, pilot. Armed with guns, Hellfire missiles, and 2.75-inch FFAR, it provides armed helicopter support to both ground and air special operations. The Model 369 was submitted by Hughes, and competed against the two finalists, Fairchild-Hiller and Bell, for a production contract.